Starting in spring 2015 the game’s FPS module will launch in beta, as well as an alpha version of the Planetside/Social module. Version 2.0 of Arena Commander and MultiCrrew ships will then follow in the summer, with ‘Suadron 42’, the debut installment of Star Citizen’s story mode due in the autumn. Finally, as 2015 comes to close an alpha version of Cloud Imperium’s Persistent Universe will be released.

According to Roberts, Star Citizen will then see an official public release during 2016.

Star Citizen has enjoyed huge success from its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Initially asking pledgers for $500,000, the game is currently nearing a staggering $70 million in funding, a figure which could surpass $100 million before finally launching to the public.

“It’s built into the DNA of Cloud Imperium, who’s the company that’s making Star Citizen,” said Roberts. ”It’s the community focus. And we get headlines because we’re the largest crowdfunded anything in the world. We’re now close to $70 million, and it’s likely the carry-on will probably be over $100 by the time the game is close to public release. But the crowdfunding isn’t really about the money. Yes, the money is nice. Yes the money enables you to do some of these things you do, but it’s really about bringing people in to create this community and have them sort of share that experience with you as you’re building it.”